Larne midfielder Chris Gallagher will miss the key Premiership showdown with league leaders Coleraine after his appeal against a red card was dismissed. The three-match suspension is a significant setback for the third-placed side as they prepare to host the table-toppers on Friday.
Gallagher was sent off in the second half of last Saturday's 3-0 win at Crusaders for a challenge on winger Elliott Dunlop. The club lodged an appeal, but it was rejected on Thursday afternoon, confirming his absence for the Coleraine match as well as upcoming league fixtures against Linfield and Bangor.
Manager Gary Haveron admitted the loss of the influential player is a blow but backed his squad's depth. "Cricky's outstanding, absolutely outstanding for us," Haveron said. "He's been absolutely instrumental in the success we've had at the football club since he's came to it."
Haveron strongly disagreed with the decision, arguing the fourth official intervened after the referee had initially reached for a yellow card. "He's went to give a yellow card, but it's the fourth official standing here that actually sends him off and he's just told me that he sent him off," the manager stated, describing the contact as shin-on-shin without malicious intent. He expressed his frustration, stating he felt the process was flawed and that the club would have to accept the outcome.
The suspension comes at a key moment. Larne sit third with 19 points from seven games, but they trail Friday's opponents Coleraine by nine points. Gallagher has been a central figure during the club's recent successful period, and his absence will test the squad's resilience during a demanding run of matches. The full list of upcoming challenges is available on our fixtures schedule.
Larne's form remains strong, with five consecutive wins including that 3-0 victory at Seaview where Ronan Doherty, Jeff McEneff and Gavin Sandiford scored. They will need to find a way to maintain that momentum without one of their most valuable players. The team last faced Coleraine in a goalless draw in August, making Friday's encounter a critical opportunity to close the gap at the summit. Haveron confirmed that the club will now look to other players to step up, emphasising the strength and competition within the squad to cover for Gallagher's absence in the engine room.
The original report is at colerainechronicle.co.uk
